Connector for insulating glazing units with multiple barriers for moisture vapor and gas

Abstract

The subject application is directed to a connector with multiple barriers for moisture vapor and gas that provides a hermetically sealed joint in a spacer bar. The multiple barrier members include yielding feathers, yielding ribs, yielding feathered ribs, or interlaced yielding ribs and collars. The barrier members engage with the seal liner of respective portions of an associated spacer bar in corresponding engaging areas. A predetermined relationship between the fusing temperature of the barrier members and the fusing temperature of the seal liner establishes hermetic bonding resulting from a heating exposure of the corresponding engaging areas.

1 . A connector for an associated spacer bar for an associated insulating glazing unit, which associated spacer bar includes an interior surface covered with a seal liner, and an inner space, the connector comprising:
 a connector body comprising two legs;   wherein each of the two legs of the connector body is adapted for insertion into an inner space of a respective portion of an associated spacer bar and engaging with the respective portion of an associated spacer bar in corresponding engaging areas;   wherein the two legs of the connector body are further adapted for forming multiple barriers for moisture vapor and gas, and comprise multiple barrier members; and   wherein the multiple barrier members are adapted for engaging with the seal liner of respective portions of an associated spacer bar in corresponding engaging areas and establishing corresponding hermetic bonding in at least the corresponding engaging areas.   
   
   
       2 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 1  wherein the multiple barrier members are further adapted for establishing hermetic bonding resulting from a heating exposure of at least the corresponding engaging areas. 
   
   
       3 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 1  wherein the multiple barrier members are comprised of a plurality of yielding feathers covering at least a part of an exterior surface of a corresponding connector leg and fixedly attached to the corresponding connector leg. 
   
   
       4 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 3 :
 wherein the yielding feathers are made of a material with a fusing temperature higher than a fusing temperature of a material of the seal liner of an associated spacer bar; and   wherein a heating temperature associated with a heating exposure of at least the corresponding engaging areas, is lower than the fusing temperature of the material of the yielding feathers, and higher than the fusing temperature of the material of the seal liner of an associated spacer bar.   
   
   
       5 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 1  wherein the material of the yielding feathers is a plastic material. 
   
   
       6 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 1  wherein the multiple barrier members are comprised of a plurality of yielding ribs covering at least a part of an exterior surface of the corresponding connector leg and fixedly attached to the corresponding connector leg. 
   
   
       7 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 6 :
 wherein the yielding ribs are made of a material with a fusing temperature higher than a fusing temperature of a material of the seal liner of an associated spacer bar; and   wherein a heating temperature associated with a heating exposure of at least the corresponding engaging areas, is lower than the fusing temperature of the material of the yielding ribs, and higher than the fusing temperature of the material of the seal liner of an associated spacer bar.   
   
   
       8 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 6  wherein the yielding ribs are provided with a plurality of yielding feathers attached thereto and covering at least a part of an exterior surface of a corresponding yielding rib. 
   
   
       9 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 8 :
 wherein the yielding ribs and the yielding feathers are made of a material with a fusing temperature higher than a fusing temperature of a material of the seal liner of an associated spacer bar.   
   
   
       10 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 9 :
 wherein the fusing temperature of the material of the yielding feathers is generally equal to the fusing temperature of the material of the yielding ribs; and   wherein a heating temperature associated with the heating exposure, is lower than the fusing temperature of the material of the yielding feathers.   
   
   
       11 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 9 :
 wherein the fusing temperature of the material of the yielding feathers is higher than the fusing temperature of the material of the yielding ribs; and   wherein a heating temperature associated with the heating exposure, is lower than the fusing temperature of the material of the yielding ribs.   
   
   
       12 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 9 :
 wherein the fusing temperature of the material of the yielding feathers is lower than the fusing temperature of the material of the yielding ribs; and   wherein a heating temperature associated with the heating exposure, is lower than the fusing temperature of the material of the yielding feathers.   
   
   
       13 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 4  wherein the yielding ribs and yielding feathers are made of a plastic material. 
   
   
       14 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 1 :
 wherein the multiple barrier members comprise a plurality of yielding ribs covering a first part of an exterior surface of a corresponding connector leg and fixedly attached to the corresponding connector leg; and   wherein the multiple barrier members further comprise a plurality of collars covering a second part of an exterior surface of the corresponding connector leg, interlaced with the plurality of yielding ribs, and fixedly attached to the corresponding connector leg.   
   
   
       15 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 14 :
 wherein the yielding ribs are made of a material with a fusing temperature higher than a fusing temperature of a material of the seal liner of an associated spacer bar;   wherein the collars are made of a material with a fusing temperature lower than the fusing temperature of the material of the seal liner of an associated spacer bar; and   wherein a heating temperature associated with a heating exposure of at least the corresponding engaging areas, is lower than the fusing temperature of the material of the seal liner of an associated spacer bar, and higher than the fusing temperature of the material of the collars.   
   
   
       16 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 1 :
 wherein the two legs of the connector body are positioned such that an angle between the two legs of the connector body is more than zero and less than 180 degrees, the connector being a corner connector arrangement thereof.   
   
   
       17 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 1 :
 wherein the two legs of the connector body are positioned in-line, the connector being a linear connector arrangement thereof.   
   
   
       18 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 13  wherein the connector body further comprises a rigid stud positioned generally adjacent a center line of the connector body. 
   
   
       19 . The connector for an associated spacer bar of an insulating glazing unit of  claim 1  wherein heating exposure of the at least the corresponding engaging areas of respective portions of an associated spacer bar is provided by at least one of friction welding, ultrasonic welding, radio-frequency welding, microwaves welding, radiation heating, air heating, or direct heating.